Apogee 05059 User manual

Made In USA

Kit #05059

Skill Level 3

Average Skills Needed

“In the heart of Scorpio burns a red star – Antares;

and there we wish to go. We shall explore the depths

of Antares’ ruby waves to better understand the

coming disaster of our ever expanding, rapidly cooling

sun. The Antares Explorer shall allow us to know what

is to come in the next millennia. We must ascertain

what time remains before the last foot must leave our

home to voyage into the unknown of the interstellar

neighborhood.” – IARC Research Mandate

The Antares Explorer is a Sci-Fi Scale model of an

exploration rocket developed by the IARC (Interstellar

Advanced Research Coalition) to probe the nearby

Antares star system. The red supergiant

α Scorpii A

is the ultimate goal of their exploration. Here on Earth

however, the Antares Explorer provides excitement far

beyond discovering the stellar evolution of a far away

system. It ies on 24mm motors (or 18mm with a

motor adapter, sold separately), and can easily top

2000ft with readily available motors.

Antares Explorer Parts List

Needed Tools and Materials

Pencil

Ruler

Hobby Knife with Sharp Blades

Scissors

Razor Saw

Wood Glue

Aluminum Angle Extrusion (or a door frame)

Masking Tape or Cellophane Tape

Wood Filler

Sandpaper: 220 grit, 320 grit and Sanding Block

(e.g. Apogee Sanding Tee - Item # 02100)

Optional Tools / Finishing Supplies

Paper Towels

Painter's Tape or Masking Tape

Sandpaper: 400 grit

Paint Supplies: Spray Paint, Brushes, etc.

Bowl of water with a little dishwashing soap

Instruction Sheet A: P/N 31254 *Updated 2/9/2023

Manufactured in the USA by:

Apogee Components Inc.

Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

www.ApogeeRockets.com

Item # Item Name Qty

10091 AT-24/3.75” 1

10130 AT-33/18” 1

13031 CR-18/24 1

13035 CR-24/29 1

13056 1/4” x 3” Launch Lug 1

14263 1/8" x 2.5" Wood Dowel 2

15492 Antares Explorer Rings and Jig Cardstock 1

15724 Antares Explorer Fin Sheet 1

19468 PNC-33 (BT-55) 1

24044 Crimped "E-Size" Engine Hook 1

29114 Apogee 18"/15"/12" Plastic Parachute Pack 1

29526 300# Kevlar* x 6 feet 1

31254 Antares Explorer Instruction Sheet A 1

31255 Antares Explorer Instruction Sheet B 1

31256 Antares Explorer Instruction Sheet C 1

39052 Antares Explorer Face Card 1

41107 Antares Explorer Decal Sheet 1

Page 1

Assembly StepsAssembly Steps

• 1. Using a sharp hobby knife, carefully remove all of

the components from the laser cut wood sheet.

• 2. Do not sand the n components until after they

are assembled. Apply wood glue to the joint and

assemble the two pieces together as shown. Ensure

that the pieces are at and aligned, they should look

like one piece when assembled. Allow to dry on a at

surface. This is your Dorsal Fin.

• 3. Lightly sand the surface of the dowels so that they

are smooth and sand the ends at. Assemble one

antenna panel by gluing the dowel to the wooden

antenna base piece as shown, making sure the ends

are ush with each other. Ensure the dowel is

centered along the antenna base. Repeat for the

second antenna panel. Allow to dry.

Page 2

Step 3

Step 1

Step 2

Front

Back

Small Fin -- bottom

Dorsal Fin -- top

Main Fin

Small Fin

Launch Lug

Antenna

Overlap

Small Fin

Main Fin

Antenna

Fin Wrap Overlap

Nozzle Vane

Engine Hook-- bottom

Nozzle Vane

MMT Wrap

Flush ends

Fin Alignment Guide

Motor Mount Tube Alignment Guide

Cut notches on

opposite sides

• 4. Draw a line anywhere along the length of the main

tube (AT-33/18”). This will now be the “top” of the

rocket. Cut out the n alignment guide using scissors

or a hobby knife. Wrap the guide around the tube

and tape to hold closed, aligning the Dorsal Fin - top

marking on the longitudinal line just drawn. Then

slide the guide so that the back edge of the guide is

approximately 1” (25.4mm) from one end of the tube.

Mark and label all of the lines shown on the guide,

then remove it and extend all the lines at least 9”

(228.6mm) from the back end of the tube.

• 5. Mark 2-3/4” (70mm) from the aft of the tube

along the Small Fin lines, 4-3/8” (111mm) along the

Launch Lug line, and 7-1/2” (190mm) along the

Antenna lines. No marks need to be made on the

Main Fins and Dorsal Fin lines, as they will be

mounted ush with the back of the tube.

• 6. Using a sharp hobby knife, cut a notch into each

side of the 24/29 centering ring (the larger green

cardboard ring) as shown to provide clearance for the

engine hook and shock cord.

• 7. On the motor mount tube (AT-24/3.75”), mark a

line along the entire length for an engine hook. Cut

out the motor mount tube alignment guide and tape it

on 1/2” (12.7mm) from one end of the tube. This end

will be the aft end of the motor mount tube. Mark a

complete circle around the tube using the edge of the

guide, then mark all the Nozzle Vane positions from

the circle to the end of the tube.

• 8. Mark along the engine hook line 1/4” (6.35mm)

and 1/2” (12.7mm) from the Front end of the tube.

Finally, cut a 1/8” (3.18mm) wide slot at the line 1/4”

(6.35mm) from the front.

Page 3

Instruction Sheet B: P/N 31255

Step 8

Step 7

1/2" (13mm)

1/4" (6mm)

Cut a

Slot

1/2" (13mm)

Step 4

Aft end of tube

Step 6

ANT

Step 5

7-1/2" (190mm)

4-3/8" (111mm)

2-3/4" (70mm) Small Fin

Launch Lug

Antenna

Aft End

1/8"

(3mm)

Inside

• 9. Apply a small dab of glue to the base of each of

the eight engine nozzle vanes, and glue into place on

each of the marked lines ush with the the end of the

tube. Make sure they are perpendicular to the tube,

and not tilted. Once all eight are attached, allow them

to dry before continuing.

• 10. Remove the centering rings from the cardstock

sheet. Rotate the motor mount tube so that the vanes

are facing away from you. Insert the engine hook

into the previously cut slot in the motor tube, with the

crimped end hanging over the side with the vanes.

Apply wood glue to the front side of each nozzle

vane, and slide the aft centering ring (the ring with a

single notch along the inner hole) all the way back to

attach it to the nozzle vanes. Apply a bead of glue to

the joint connecting the tube and the centering ring,

and smooth with your nger to form a llet.

• 11. Put a ring of wood glue on the inner edge of the

front (non-vaned) end of the motor mount tube. Insert

the 18/24 centering ring (the smaller green cardboard

ring) into the tube until the front edges are ush.

• 12. Tie the shock cord around the middle of the motor

mount tube. Add a dab of wood glue on the knot to

secure it.

• 13. Route the shock cord through the hole in the

forward centering ring (the second cardstock ring).

Apply a bead of glue around the motor mount tube

at the 1/2” (13mm) line, and slide the front centering

ring into place, with the shock cord in one notch and

the engine hook in the other. Pull the shock cord so

that the loop that was tied in the last step sits tight

against the forward centering ring and apply a llet of

glue on the joint and shock cord loop.

Page 4

Step 13

Step 12

Step 11

Aft Ring

Forward Ring

Step 10

Step 9

Page 5

• 14. Apply glue to the forward end of the motor mount

tube in front of the cardstock centering rings and slide

the 24/29 centering ring (the green one previously

notched) over the shock cord and onto the motor

mount tube so that it butts up against the forward

centering ring. Ensure the shock cord and engine

hook are aligned with the notches in the ring.

• 15. Route the shock cord through the motor mount

tube so that it sticks out the back. Taking the 33mm

body tube, apply wood glue to the inside aft end

(the end with the Small Fin labeled lines)

approximately 2-1/2” (64mm) deep, and at the very

inside edge. Rotate the motor mount so that the

engine hook is aligned with the Small Fin - bottom

line on the body tube and push it in until the nozzle

vanes contact the body tube. At this point, the aft

centering ring should be ush with the body tube.

• 16. Shape the antennas by sanding the front edge of

the dowels so that they are angled and coplanar with

the front surface of the base. If there are any gaps,

apply a wood ller to the joint between the base and

the dowel. Once the ller dries, sand the joint smooth.

• 17. Using a sanding block or the Apogee Sanding Tee

(https://www.apogeerockets.com/Building-Sup-

plies/Tools/Apogee-Sanding-Tee) sand the surface

and edges of all six ns so that they are smooth.

Step 17

Step 14

Step 15

Step 16

2-1/2" (64mm)

Filler

Instruction Sheet C: P/N 31256

• 18. Draw a line along the length of the launch lug,

then mark 1/4” (6mm) from either end. Using a razor

saw, cut both ends of the launch lug at an angle as

shown. If the ends are uneven, simply sand them until

they are visually similar.

• 19. Route the shock cord back through the motor

mount tube so that it sits within the body tube. Using

a hobby knife, remove the cardstock alignment guides

from the sheet. Slide the round alignment guide onto

the body tube to assist with radial alignment. Apply a

small bead of wood glue to the bottom (longest side)

of each Small n, then place the n along the Small

Fin lines, with the back of the n at the mark 2-3/4”

(70mm) from the aft edge of the body tube. The n

grain should be parallel with the forward edge of the

n. Once the ns are in place, slide the alignment

guide down over the ns to hold them in place. Allow

the small ns to dry.

• 20. Ensure that the alignment guide can slide. If not,

break any binding before continuing. With the

alignment guide still around the small ns, apply a

bead of glue to the root of the dorsal n and install

it along the Dorsal Fin - top line ush with the aft

edge of the body tube (not the motor tube). Slide the

alignment guide so that it stops against the dorsal

n. Apply glue to the roots of the main ns and install

them along the Main Fin lines. Allow the ns to dry

with the alignment guide still in place.

• 21. Slide the alignment guide away from the ns

towards the front of the tube. Apply wood glue to the

base of the antennas and position along the ANT

lines with the antenna sticking out towards the back,

and the aft edge of the base part at the marked line

7-1/2” (190mm) from the aft end of the tube. Once the

antennas are in place, slide the round alignment guide

back down around the two bases, and place the small

alignment guide at the far end of the dowels. Align the

notch in the small alignment guide with the

Small Fin - bottom line to ensure proper alignment.

Page 6

Step 20

Step 21

Step 19

Step 18

1/4" (6mm)

Bottom

7-1/2" (190mm)

Antenna Alignment

Guide

• 22. Apply wood glue to the longer side of the launch

lug and place it on the rocket along the Launch Lug

line with the aft end of the launch lug at the marked

position 4-3/8” (111mm) from the aft of the tube. Allow

the rocket to dry completely.

• 23. Remove the alignment jigs by sliding the small jig

off the back and the large jig off the front. Apply llets

to all of the ns as well as the antennas and launch

lug by running a bead of wood glue along the joint

and using a nger to form a smooth llet.

• 24. The included parachute can be cut to three

different sizes. Cut it out on the 15” line (the middle

line). Place a reinforcing ring at each of the corners

and using a pencil or hobby knife, puncture the

center of the ring.

• 25. Cut the shroud lines into three equal sections,

as shown. Then tie the shroud lines through the

reinforcement rings and around the outside of the

parachute as shown. Apply a small dab of wood glue

to each of the knots and allow the parachute to dry

before installing in the rocket.

• 26. Once the rocket is completely dry, tie the shock

cord to the nose cone and apply tape to the

remaining tail to prevent the knot from coming loose.

Then, collect the three shroud lines from the

parachute, pass them through the loop on the nose

cone, and pull the parachute back through the ends,

pulling the knot tight.

Page 7

PARACHUTE ASSEMBLY FOR 18”/15”/12”

Step 25

Step 26

Step 23

PARACHUTE ASSEMBLY FOR 18”/15”/12”

Step 24

Step 22

4-3/8"

(111mm)

• 28. Allow the nal coat of paint to harden for at least a full day (24 hours) before applying the vinyl decals. To allow

easy repositioning, the decals can be dipped in soapy water (after removing the paper backing) prior to placing

on the rocket. While positioning, keep the decal wet. Once it is in the correct location, press it down rmly and

squeegee out any water underneath. When the decal dries, it will be permanently afxed to the rocket. If using an

aluminum paint rather than a chrome, the rocket can be sprayed in a clear coat after decal application to protect

the nish. Clear coat often dulls chrome nishes, so care should be taken to check compatibility before application.

• 29. Congratulations, your Antares Explorer is now complete and ready to be own!

Page 8

Antares Explorer

143

IARC

Step 28

Step 27

Red

8-3/8" (213mm)

9/16" (15mm)

Chrome

9/16"

(15mm)

• 27. Fill and sand any rough sections of the rocket’s

surface. Spray a coat of primer over the entire rocket

and sand it well. Mask the majority of the rocket to

apply the red highlights. Once the red is cured, mask

just the painted sections and apply the chrome. This

particular paint order is preferable as the metallic

paint tends to be fairly easy to mar with masking and

handling.

Top View

Side View

Bottom View

Red

To launch your rocket you will need:

• A launch pad with a ¼” (6mm) launch rod and a

launch controller that can handle the selected ignitors

• Recovery Wadding

• Engines such as those recommended in the motor

chart.

• Additional motors can be found at:

• A. Crumple and insert 3 or 4 sheets of recovery

wadding into the tube, push them to the bottom with

a long dowel.

• B. Fold the parachute so that the shroud lines all

come together, then place the shroud lines onto the

parachute in a loop and fold the parachute in half

long ways to surround the shroud lines. Fold the

parachute again – this time the other way – to

shorten the whole package and insert rst the shock

cord and then the folded parachute into the rocket.

Slide on the nose cone.

• C. Install the motor by sliding it into the motor mount

tube and clipping the engine hook around the end to

keep it from blowing out. If a 70mm long Estes motor

such as the C11 or D12 is being used, a spacer will

be required to keep the motor in place.

• D. Insert and secure the igniters as directed in the

engine’s instructions. Place on the launch pad and

connect the clips to the igniter.

• At this point the assembly of the rocket is complete

and the rocket is ready for ight. Continue to follow

the countdown and launch procedures.

Page 9

*Antares Explorer Suggested Motor Chart*Antares Explorer Suggested Motor Chart

Motor Manufacturer Est. Altitude Type

Ft m

C11-3 Estes 491 147.7 Single Use

D12-5 Estes 1090 332.2 Single Use

D15T-7 Aerotech 1260 384.0 Reloadable

D22W-4 Quest 1153 351.4 Single Use

E12-6 Estes 1659 505.7 Single Use

E18W-7 Aerotech 2247 684.9 Reloadable

E20W-7 Aerotech 2018 615.1 Single Use

E22SS-7 Cesaroni 1447 441.0 Reloadable

E26-7 Quest 1660 505.9 Single Use

Launch Supplies NeededLaunch Supplies Needed

Prepping your rocket for ightPrepping your rocket for ight

https://www.apogeerockets.com/Model-Rocket-Kits/Skill-

Level-3-Model-Rocket-Kits/Antares-Explorer#motors

• The Antares Explorer is a light rocket designed for high ights. Even a ight on an Estes D12 will have an apogee

over 1000ft. As such, ights must be done at a large eld and – unless you like walking – in light winds. The area

around the launch pad should be free from dry grass and other re hazards, and the pad should be as far from

trees, powerlines and low-ying planes as possible.

• 1. Remove the safety key from the launch controller

• 2. Place the rocket on the launch pad. The rocket should slide freely along the rod.

• 3. Attach the clips to the igniter wires. The clips must not touch either each other or the metal blast deector.

Otherwise, a misre is likely.

• 4. Stand back from the rocket as far as the launch wire allows ( a minimum of 40 feet for motors E or larger ).

• 5. Insert the safety key to arm the launch system.

• 6. Give a loud countdown? 5… 4… 3… 2… 1… LAUNCH

• 7. Press and hold the button until the engine ignites. Once the rocket is away, remove the safety key.

A misre is when an engine does not light after the launch button is pressed. This is sometimes a result of the igniter

burning but failing to light the engine. At other times, the igniter will not burn at all (this is often indicative of a short

between the clips). To deal with a misre safely, remove the safety key from the launch controller and wait a full minute

(60 seconds) prior to approaching the pad. Check that the igniter wires or clips were not touching, causing a short. If

they were, the short can be corrected and a launch attempted again. If the engine simply failed to light, remove the old

igniter and install a new one. Make sure that the igniter is installed all the way into the engine and that it is in contact

with the propellant. Always follow the NAR (National Association of Rocketry) Model Rocket Safety Code when launch-

ing model rockets.

*Kevlar® is a brand name of E.I. DuPont for their selection of aramid bers. Only DuPont makes Kevlar®.

Countdown and Launch ProcedureCountdown and Launch Procedure

Misre ProcedureMisre Procedure

Page 10

Go online and order at www.ApogeeRockets.com or call us and

order at 719-535-9335. We’re available M-F: 9:00am-5:00pm MST

Need parts or Accessories to go along with this kit?

https://www.ApogeeRockets.com/High-Power-Rocketry-Certication

Apogee 05059 User manual

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